Switch for overhead railways



(No Model.)

1. W. MOYBR.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD RAIL'WAYS.

Patenlsed Nov; 16, 1886.

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ihvrrnn TATES J ONA'H WV. MOYER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,83Q, dated November 16, 1886.

Application filed July 17, 1886.

improvements, all of which is fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable, cheap, and effectively-working switch device adapted to light overhead trackssuch, for instance, as found in abattoirs or meatpacking establishments and upon which, through the aid-of a trolley, the meat is transferred to different parts of the building.

In carrying out my invention I provide the end of a main track with apivoted switch-section adapted to be moved in line with either of two branch tracks. This switch-section is connected to a supporting and actuating bar moved by a hand lever, and preferably so guided that in shifting theswitch it is slightly raised, then shifted laterally, and finally loweredinto position before the other track. The end of theswitch-section and the support therefor (when in line with each branch rail) is such that the switch is practically locked in position, and suitable stops are provided whereby it is forced to come into line with the branch tracks. The operating-lever is locked in its two extreme positions by a suitable device, so as to form an additional guard'against the accidental opening of the switch when no weight is thereon In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation on line 3 3 of a switch device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of same on line w 00; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ends of the branch tracks and end of the switch-section, showing the preferred way of their construction.

A is the main track, and B and O are branch tracks. E are supporting-brackets therefor.

D is the switch-section, and is pivoted at d to the main line A. This switchsection may be shifted so as to be brought in line with tracks B or O, and-has its movements limited Serial No. 208.229. (No model.)

in one direction by the extension 6 of the bracket,and in the other direction by the bevel O on the end of rail O meeting the beveled end 0 of the switch-section. The section D may be shifted by the bar G, one end of which is hinged at g to the switch-section D, and the other end of which works through a guide, H, formed on the bracket J, which. may be secured to one of the hangers E. This bar G is pivoted at k to the operating hand-lever K, which is located between the bar G and the guide P, and may be locked in its extreme positions by being sprung over the ends Z of the locking-plate L. The bar G is supported between the guide H and the switch-section by an extension, I, of the frame, which may be notched at 'i, if desired. The bar G at that portion where it works over the guide I is preferably formed with the cam portion M, whereby as the bar is moved it is raised toat the extreme ends thereof, for the purpose of raising the switch D out of one of its supports, and, after being shifted, loweringit into the other of its supports formed upon the branches B and O or their brackets. These supports may be formed as indicated in Fig. 3, in which N are bevel faces to receive the beveled ends a on the switch-section, whereby the switch is caused to properly locate itself and come into exact line with the branch sections. I do not, however,

It is evident that the lever K, if positively hinged to the bar G, would tend to raise the switch-section and then lower' it in its movement between thetwo branches if the cam portion M were entirely dispensedwith; but such movement would be too gradual, and hence by using the cam portion M, I am enabled to cause the vertical movement of the switchsection to take place quickly at the extreme ends of its lateral movement. It is also evident that the location of the fulcrum of the lever K. will have a great deal to do with the shape or outline of the cam M; hence I do not limit myself to the particular shape shown, as it may be modified in various ways without departing from my invention.

, F represents a trolley'adapted to run upon these rails. be varied to suit the various cases towhich.

limit myself to the details of this construction.

ward the middle of its movement andlowered The details of construction may branch tracks, a supporting and actuating bar connect-ed to said switch-section, and having a cam-face to raise and lower said bar during its movements, guides for said bar, and a hand-lever hinged to said bar to shift it, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the main-line track having the pivoted switchsection with two branch tracks, a supporting and actuating bar connected to said switch-section, and having a cam-face to raise and lower said bar during its movements, guides for said bar, a hand-lever hinged to said bar to shift it, and a lock to lock said lever in its extreme positions, substantially as and'for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the main-line track having the pivoted switchsection with two branch tracks provided on their ends with beveled grooves to lock the switch-section securely against lateral movement in line with said branch tracks, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination of the main-line track having the pivoted switch-section with two branch tracks, and a supporting and actuating bar connected to said switch-section, guides for said bar, a hand-lever hinged to said bar to shift it, and a lock to lock said lever in its extreme positions, consisting of a plate over either end of which the lever is snapped by its own elasticity, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination of the main-line track having the pivoted switch-section with the shifting-lever and its bar, two branch tracks, and supports on the ends of the branch tracks to lock the switch-section against lateral displacement independently of said shifting lever or bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

JONAH W. MOYER.

WVitnesses:

R. M. HUNTER, RIoHD. S. CHILD, Jr. 

